Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Rhoda creates an acrylic painting on canvas that captures the essence of your wedding, while it is happening. The end result is an original work of art that you’ll cherish for years. Your guests will be amazed as the painting of your wedding comes to life before their very eyes. Rhoda brings a unique form of fine art entertainment to your very special day., Rhoda creates an acrylic painting on canvas that captures the essence of your wedding, while it is happening. The end result is an original work of art that you’ll cherish for years.

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Unitarian ministers have been uniting loving couples for over 40 years. At San Francisco’s First Unitarian Church, we’re no exception – we’re thrilled that these unions have legal standing, and hope for full marriage equality in California again soon. Our church is led by a gay minister, and our members have voted to enthusiastically support marriage equality.

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

All Ears DJ serves the San Francisco Bay Area with exceptionally tasteful DJs and musicians for weddings, corporate events and clubs., It’s ok to admit that you’re scared of wedding DJs. Here is the good news: it does not have to be that way. All Ears DJ will rock your wedding party with music that exudes good taste.

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

You and your guests will enjoy a personalized and heartfelt event through a warm, welcoming style. Interdenominational, multicultural, traditional or non-traditional ceremonies throughout the Bay Area.

Twenty three years ago, I walked into the Pacific Center, an LGBT center in Berkeley, California, for a gay men’s night, having no idea that I would meet the love of my life, my husband Mark.

That I can call him my husband, legally, under the laws of both the Federal Government and all fifty states, would have seemed an impossibility to me back then.

The first gay wedding I ever attended was in the late 80’s, when a high school friend of mine “married” his partner in Southern California. I put the word “married” in quotes because, back then, it was such an impossible concept – this idea that two men could marry – and it was at once an act of defiance and an act of love.

The ceremony, such as it was, involved five of us – the two grooms and three friends. We went to the Huntington Museum – a gorgeous place in Arcadia, California – and together we entered the bamboo garden. There, amidst the tall stands of bamboo, with the three of us huddled protectively around the couple so no one else could see, they exchanged hurried vows and rings.

I was all of 22 years old.

What a different world the young adults of today are entering into. When Mark and I met in 1992, we didn’t believe this day would come in our lifetimes. When we started our LGBT wedding directory, PurpleUnions.com, the name itself implied that we were lucky to get the recognition of civil unions. I still kick myself for not also having bought PurpleWeddings.com. LOL…

In 2008, we jumped into advocacy with both feet, starting the Gay Marriage Watch blog, which later became Marriage Equality Watch. In that year, anti gay laws were still gaining ground, and our bright, beautiful victory in California at the state Supreme Court was quickly eclipsed by the lies and hatred of Prop 8. Even then, just seven years ago, we didn’t know if we would get here.

The fall of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell put the foot on the accelerator, as the country saw out and proud military veterans for the first time, and all that activist energy flowed from the military into marriage equality and other LGBT movements.

The US Supreme Court rulings in 2014 only threw more fuel on the fire. I had hoped for marriage equality nationwide by 2020. I didn’t dare dream it would arrive so soon.

Mark and I have married twice – once in 2004 in San Francisco, only to see it snatched away from us, and again in 2008, also in The City. Many other same sex couples have now done the same around the country and around the world.

There are still other battles to be fought. In many states in the US, you can be fired or kicked out of your home for being LGBT. Transgender rights deserve much more of our attention. And there are many places around the world where it’s still a criminal act to be gay.

But those are fights to start tomorrow.

Today Mark and I will celebrate what has come before, and where we are now.

HBO is partnering with Purple Unions/Marriage Equality Watch to announce the second season of Looking, the gay drama set in San Francisco. We’re giving away ten copies of the Season 1 DVD – just post a comment below with your name and email address. We’ll draw the winners from all the entries received by 1/11

There’s more out there in the all new season of the hit HBO series LOOKING starring Jonathan Groff and Frankie J. Alvarez. LOOKING focuses on current gay life in the Bay Area and on themes that everyone, gay and straight, can relate to: falling in love, finding professional fulfillment, forging an identity in a complicated world, and searching for happiness. Don’t miss the season premiere Sunday, January 11th at 10pm/9pm Central, only on HBO.

And now is your chance to catch up before the premiere with Season 1, available to own now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD: http://amzn.com/B00HX3ZJOY

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Officiants in Walnut Creek, CA, USA. My first lesbian wedding was in 1991, and celebrating love by creating ceremonies that have heart and meaning for you became a large part of my life. Love and Spirit express through us freely and making vows with family and friends present deepens your commitment. We work together to choose words and rituals that have heart and meaning for you and create a personalized, customized ceremony. This is a great moment for all of us!

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Photography in San Francisco, CA, USA. A San Francisco based photographer, Jody travels all across N. America to shoot weddings & commitment ceremonies. She is professional, creative, unobtrusive and passionate about her work. She loves shooting weddings and it shows! A recent client says, “You are so great, Jody, we are really thrilled with how everything has gone…too bad weddings are “once in a lifetime,” else we’d want you there for every one we have!”

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Officiants in Sonoma, CA, USA. Stevi Hanson delights in skillfully performing wedding ceremonies for couples in the most beautiful place in the world: Sonoma County. Stevi will work with you to fulfill your dreams and your beliefs by working together to create a personalized wine-country wedding ceremony that is special, meaningful and uniquely yours. If you’d like a small, quiet (or huge loud) wedding that is intimate & stress free, Stevi insures you get the wedding you dream of.